Tunnel Trespassing

BART service through the Transbay Tube has been restored after it was shut down Sunday evening for about an hour-and-a-half after surveillance cameras showed someone walking into the tunnel beneath the bay.

According to BART spokesman Jim Allison, a man “in normal attire walking casually” was spotted entering the tube from the Embarcadero station at about 6:46 p.m. BART immediately shut down the Transbay Tube and sent a train full of police officers inside. They found and arrested a person at 7:44 p.m., he said. Lt. Tyrone Forte said he was found about half way between Embarcadero station and West Oakland station.

The tube is outfitted with surveillance cameras and other security devices aimed at protecting it against terrorists, vandals or someone deciding to take a stroll. BART reopened the tube just in time for the end of the San Francisco Giants game, which was expected to send crowds of fans heading home from AT&T Park.

Aside from the security implications, this kind of thing isn’t fun for the passengers — i.e. being stuck in a dark tunnel without ventilation for over an hour. It isn’t an isolated occurrence either. For example, on the day of the World Cup, a trespasser entered the Oakland Wye, also causing 90 minute delays (and yeah, I’m still pissed about missing the game).

I’ve never seen any other urban metro system this susceptible to delays caused by intruders. Not sure if the problem is the lackadaisical police response, or the lack of redundancy…